Wednesday, June 03, 2020

LAS VEGAS, Nev.
— U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, Clark
County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, Special Agent in Charge Aaron
C. Rouse for the FBI, and Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas
Metropolitan Police Department announced today that three alleged
members of the “Boogaloo” movement — a term used by extremists to
signify a coming civil war and/or collapse of society — have been
charged with violations of federal and state law for conspiracy to cause
destruction during protests in Las Vegas, and possession of an
unregistered destructive device (specifically, an improvised incendiary
device commonly known as a Molotov cocktail).

“Violent instigators have hijacked peaceful protests and
demonstrations across the country, including Nevada, exploiting the real
and legitimate outrage over Mr. Floyd’s death for their own radical
agendas,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Law enforcement is focused on
keeping violence and destruction from interfering with free public
expression and threatening lives.”

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson stated: “My office is
committed to aggressively prosecuting those who make it their mission to
create chaos and destruction with total disregard for the safety and
well-being of our citizens and the law enforcement officers sworn to
protect and serve our community. This type of planning and intent on
causing mayhem is terroristic and will not be tolerated. Thankfully, the
Joint Terrorism Task Force is able to identify and stop such actions.
Now it’s my job to hold these men accountable.”

“This quick and decisive action by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task
Force underscores the exceptional partnership and professionalism of our
diverse membership,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse.
“Federal, state, and local agencies committed to stopping acts of
terrorism before they can occur. Citizens of Nevada can take comfort
that the law enforcement partnerships in this state continue to work
together every day to protect them no matter the circumstances.”

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Captain Chris
Tomaino said: “The LVMPD worked together daily in the Joint Terrorism
Task Force with the FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, and Clark County
District Attorney's Office in this investigation that helped protect
Southern Nevada's citizens and officers from individuals looking to harm
citizens for their own political ends.”

Stephen T. Parshall, aka “Kiwi,” 35, Andrew Lynam, 23, and William L.
Loomis, 40, all of Las Vegas, were each charged in a federal criminal
complaint with (a) one count of conspiracy to damage and destroy by fire
and explosive; and (b) one count of possession of unregistered
firearms, that is, a destructive device. A criminal complaint is a
formal accusation of criminal conduct for purposes of establishing
probable cause, not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed
innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

If convicted of federal charges, Parshall, Lynam, and Loomis each
face a statutory maximum sentence of (a) 20 years in prison and a
$250,000 fine for conspiracy to damage and destroy by fire and
explosive; and (b) ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for
possession of unregistered firearms. The maximum statutory sentences are
prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes
only. If convicted of any federal offense, the sentencing of a
defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory
Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Parshall, Lynam, and Loomis were all arrested in Las Vegas on May 30,
2020, and are currently in state custody. In addition to the federal
charges listed above, the Clark County District Attorney’s office has
filed a state criminal complaint charging the defendants with (a) one
count Assist, Solicit or Conspire Conspiracy to Commit an Act of
Terrorism (potential sentence of ten years to life in prison with the
possibility of parole); (b) one count of Provide Material Support for
use in the Commission of an Act of Terrorism (potential sentence of ten
years to life in prison with the possibility of parole); (c) one count
of Conspiracy to Damage or Destroy a Building by Means of Explosives
(potential sentence of two to ten years in prison); and (d) one count of
Possession of Component of Explosive or Incendiary Device with Intent
to Manufacture Explosive Incendiary Device (potential sentence of one to
six years in prison).

The charges stem from an investigation led by the FBI Joint Terrorism
Task Force (JTTF) in Las Vegas, which includes the FBI, LVMPD, ATF,
North Las Vegas Police Department, and the U.S. National Park Service.
Each regional FBI JTTF brings together highly skilled investigators from
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and
stop terrorism. As directed by Attorney General William P. Barr, law
enforcement is using the existing network of 56 regional FBI JTTFs to
identify and prosecute the violent criminal organizers and instigators
who have taken over peaceful protests.

U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Dickinson is prosecuting the federal case.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Dickerson, who is the primary
counter-terrorism prosecutor for the Clark County District Attorney’s
office, is prosecuting the state’s case.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

“With the rioting that is occurring in many of our cities around the
country, the voices of peaceful and legitimate protests have been
hijacked by violent radical elements. Groups of outside radicals and
agitators are exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate,
violent, and extremist agenda.

It is time to stop watching the violence and to confront and stop
it. The continued violence and destruction of property endangers the
lives and livelihoods of others, and interferes with the rights of
peaceful protestors, as well as all other citizens.

It also undercuts the urgent work that needs to be done – through
constructive engagement between affected communities and law enforcement
leaders – to address legitimate grievances. Preventing reconciliation
and driving us apart is the goal of these radical groups, and we cannot
let them succeed.

It is the responsibility of state and local leaders to ensure that
adequate law enforcement resources, including the National Guard where
necessary, are deployed on the streets to reestablish law and order. We
saw this finally happen in Minneapolis last night, and it worked.

Federal law enforcement actions will be directed at apprehending and
charging the violent radical agitators who have hijacked peaceful
protest and are engaged in violations of federal law.

To identify criminal organizers and instigators, and to coordinate
federal resources with our state and local partners, federal law
enforcement is using our existing network of 56 regional FBI Joint
Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF).

The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar
groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be
treated accordingly.”

Fort
Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today
sentenced Alison Marie Sheppard, a/k/a “Aiisha Abdullah,” (35, Punta
Gorda) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for attempting to
provide material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist
organization. The court also sentenced Sheppard to a term of 15 years
supervised release.

Sheppard had pleaded guilty on May 17, 2019.

According to court documents, from approximately January 2017 until
July 18, 2017, Sheppard knowingly attempted to provide material support
and resources to the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, by purchasing
and shipping 10 cellphones that she intended for ISIS to use to detonate
improvised explosive devices.

Beginning in early 2016, Sheppard used Facebook and social media
applications to network and find like-minded individuals who supported a
Salafi jihadist mindset and ISIS, and she posted videos that she had
created to her YouTube channel to instruct her online friends. Sheppard
also posted the videos on social media sites in support of her beliefs.
Many of these videos broadcasted the teachings of Islamist extremists
who supported violent jihad. Among her postings supporting ISIS in
social media accounts, Sheppard published screenshots of an online ISIS
magazine that contained articles glorifying terrorist acts committed by
ISIS members.

Sheppard also used social media applications to engage in encrypted
communications with individuals she believed were supporters of ISIS.
One of those individuals was someone Sheppard believed had later
traveled to the Middle East to join ISIS. Sheppard sent that person an
ISIS e-book detailing how ISIS members travel in and out of Syria,
including operational security measures to assist foreign fighters in
evading detection in their pursuit to join ISIS. That individual was
later apprehended by the FBI and began cooperating with federal law
enforcement. Sheppard also began communicating with two other
individuals who she believed were ISIS supporters, but who were, in
fact, undercover law enforcement officers. During one of those
conversations, Sheppard told the undercover officer that she had sworn
allegiance to Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the now-deceased former leader of
ISIS.

In June 2017, while engaging in online social media conversations
with the cooperating individual and the two undercover law enforcement
officers, Sheppard offered to purchase and ship cellphones that ISIS
could use to detonate improvised explosive devices. Later, in July 2017,
Sheppard purchased 10 cellphones from five stores in Punta Gorda, Port
Charlotte, and Rotonda West, Florida. She arranged to have the phones
mailed to one of the undercover officers, believing that they would be
forwarded to the Middle East and that ISIS would use them as timers for
“pressure cooker” bombs.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
the New York Police Department Intelligence Section. It was prosecuted
by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland, Assistant
United States Attorney Jesus M. Casas, and Trial Attorney David C. Smith
of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

Friday, May 29, 2020

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Office of
Military Commissions (OMC) will allocate seats for news media aboard
military-chartered aircraft for travel to and from Joint Base Andrews
(JBA) to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) to cover Military
Commission pre-trial proceedings scheduled for United States v. Khalid
Shaikh Mohammad et al., July 20-31, 2020.

In accordance with DoD guidelines regarding travel restrictions due
to the COVID-19 pandemic and NSGB Instruction 6210.0, all military and
civilians shall perform a 14-day restriction of movement upon arrival at
NSGB.

Reporters are not required to stay for the entire duration of
scheduled hearings. Although subject to change, the available flight
schedule will be the following:

Sunday, July 5 – Joint Base Andrews to NSGB

Saturday, July 25 – NSGB to Joint Base Andrews

Saturday, August 1 – NSGB to Joint Base Andrews

Media desiring to view this hearing from NSGB must complete the registration form.
All requests must be received no later than noon EDT, Friday, June 5.
Multiple requesters from the same organization must register separately
via the form.

Due to a limited number of seats aboard the flight and limited accommodations at Guantanamo Bay, selection is not guaranteed.

Additional viewing is available for media members via Closed Circuit
Television (CCTV) from a media work center at Fort George G. Meade, Md.

NOTE 1: There are no tours of detention camps scheduled during
military commissions. Requests for reporting on Guantanamo topics not
related to the military commissions must be coordinated through OSD
Public Affairs and the Joint Task Force Guantanamo public affairs
office. The primary purpose of travel to Guantanamo Bay is courtroom
reporting.

NOTE 2: All media must ensure their passports and visas (foreign
press) are up-to-date and eligible to enter and exit the United States.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Adel
El Zabayar Allegedly Worked with the Former President of Venezuela
Nicolás Maduro Moros and Other Prominent Venezuelan Officials to
Distribute Cocaine and Weapons In Coordination with Terrorist
Organizations

Geoffrey
S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New
York, and Timothy J. Shea, Acting Administrator U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration (“DEA”), announced today that ADEL EL ZABAYAR was charged
in Manhattan federal court with participating in a narco-terrorism
conspiracy, a cocaine importation conspiracy, and related weapons
offenses involving the use and possession of machineguns and destructive
devices, all based on his support of the Venezuelan Cártel de Los Soles and designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (“FARC”), Hizballah, and Hamas.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, Adel
El Zabayar was part of the unholy alliance of government, military, and
FARC members using violence and corruption to further their
narco-terrorist aims. El Zabayar was allegedly a key part of the
apparatus that conspired to export literally tons of cocaine into the
U.S. We further allege today, for the first time, that the Cártel de Los Soles
sought to recruit terrorists from Hizballah and Hamas to assist in
planning and carrying out attacks on the U.S., and that El Zabayar was
instrumental as a go-between. Allegedly, El Zabayar obtained from the
Middle East a cargo planeload of military-grade weaponry. With today’s
charges, El Zabayar joins the rogues’ gallery of defendants we charged
two months ago, and he faces the possibility of life in a U.S. prison if
and when he is apprehended.”

DEA Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea said: “Today’s charges
against Adel El Zabayar for trading arms for cocaine, and recruiting
extremists, further demonstrates the corruption inside the Maduro
regime. The actions charged in the complaint show that Maduro’s
administration operates with no regard for its own citizens, instead
choosing to flood the United States with cocaine and other drugs while
enriching itself. As the layers of the Maduro regime are exposed, so is
its immoral, unethical, and dangerous actions.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint charging EL
ZABAYAR and in the related Superseding Indictment charging Maduro Moros
and others in the Southern District of New York, which was unsealed on
March 26, 2020[1]:

EL ZABAYAR is a member of the Cártel de Los Soles, or “Cartel
of the Suns.” The Cartel’s name refers to the sun insignias affixed to
the uniforms of high-ranking Venezuelan military officials. For more
than two decades, Cartel members, including EL ZABAYAR and Maduro Moros,
have abused the Venezuelan people and corrupted the legitimate
institutions of Venezuela – including parts of the military,
intelligence apparatus, legislature, and the judiciary – to facilitate
the importation of tons of cocaine into the United States. The Cartel
sought not only to enrich its members and enhance their power, but also
to “flood” the United States with cocaine and inflict the drug’s harmful
and addictive effects on users in the United States.

The Cártel de Los Soles has worked in coordination with
designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including the FARC,
Hizballah, and Hamas. EL ZABAYAR, in particular, has, among other
things, participated in weapons-for-cocaine negotiations with the FARC,
obtained anti-tank rocket launchers from the Middle East for the FARC as
partial payment for cocaine, and recruited terrorists from Hizballah
and Hamas for the purpose of helping to plan and organize attacks
against United States interests.

For example, in or about 2014, EL ZABAYAR participated in several
meetings with Diosdado Cabello Rondón, the president of Venezuela’s
National Constituent Assembly and a member of the Cártel de Los Soles,
at a military base in Caracas, Venezuela. During the meetings, Cabello
Rondón directed EL ZABAYAR to travel to the Middle East to obtain
weapons and recruit members of Hizballah and Hamas to train at
clandestine training camps located in Venezuela. Cabello Rondón
explained during the meeting, among other things, that the purpose of
recruiting members of Hizballah and Hamas to train in Venezuela was to
create a large terrorist cell capable of attacking United States
interests on behalf of the Cártel de Los Soles. EL ZABAYAR
agreed. Several months later, after EL ZABAYAR returned to Venezuela
from the Middle East, EL ZABAYAR, Cabello Rondón, and others traveled
together to a hangar controlled by Maduro Moros at the Simón Bolívar
International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela, where EL ZABAYAR received
a Lebanese cargo plane full of weapons, including rocket-propelled
grenade launchers, AK-103s, and sniper rifles, that EL ZABAYAR had
obtained while he was in the Middle East, as Cabello Rondón had
directed.

During the course of EL ZABAYAR’s activities on behalf of the Cártel de Los Soles,
EL ZABAYAR also acted as a liaison between the Venezuelan government
and Syrian president Bashar Hafez al-Assad, fought in Syria on behalf of
Assad’s Hizballah-backed forces in or about 2013, and appeared in at
least two interviews released by Al Manar, Hizballah’s
terrorist-designated propaganda arm, in or about 2013 and 2014.

* * *

The Complaint charges EL ZABAYAR, 56, with: (1) participating in a
narco-terrorism conspiracy, which carries a 20-year mandatory minimum
sentence and a maximum of life; (2) conspiring to import cocaine into
the United States, which carries a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence
and a maximum of life; (3) using and carrying machine guns and
destructive devices during and in relation to, and possessing machine
guns and destructive devices in furtherance of, the narco-terrorism and
cocaine importation conspiracies, which carries a 30-year mandatory
minimum sentence and a maximum of life; and (4) conspiring to use and
carry machine guns and destructive devices during and in relation to,
and to possess machine guns and destructive devices in furtherance of,
the narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies, which carries a
maximum sentence of life. The potential mandatory minimum and maximum
sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for
informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be
determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s
Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit and New York
Strike Force.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and
International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Houle,
Matthew J. Laroche, Jason A. Richman, and Kyle Wirshba are in charge of
the prosecution.

The charges in the Complaint and Superseding Indictment S2 11 Cr. 205
are merely accusations, and EL ZABAYAR and the defendants named in the
Superseding Indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven
guilty.

[1]
As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the
Complaint and the Superseding Indictment and the description of those
documents set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact
described should be treated as an allegation.

Tampa,
Florida – The Department of Justice today announced the filing of a
criminal complaint charging Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari (23, Tampa) with
attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated
foreign terrorist organization, namely, the Islamic State of Iraq and
al-Sham (ISIS). If convicted, Al-Azhari faces a maximum penalty of 20
years in federal prison.

“We are grateful for the hard work and swift action by our law
enforcement partners and concerned citizens during this investigation,”
stated U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez for the Middle District of
Florida. “Their coordination and cooperation in this matter allowed us
to interrupt a serious threat, without harm to anyone.”

“We are grateful for the quick work of our partners at the FBI to
apprehend Al-Azhari before he could carry out his attack,” said
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “This
case demonstrates the Department’s commitment to stand vigilant against
the threat of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms.”

“The primary mission of the FBI is to protect the American public
from a terrorist attack. Today’s announcement of the arrest of Muhammed
Momtaz Al-Azahari is proof we are committed to that pledge. I commend
the 18 federal, state, and local member agencies who comprise FBI
Tampa’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) for working day and night to
prevent the loss of life in the Tampa Bay community,” said Special Agent
in Charge of the FBI Tampa Division Michael F. McPherson. “We were also
fortunate to gain the cooperation of multiple citizens who willingly
and bravely provided their assistance during this investigation. This
strong bond between law enforcement and the public allowed us to disrupt
this threat.”

According to the complaint,
Al-Azhari was an ISIS supporter who planned and attempted to carry out
an attack on behalf of that terrorist organization. Al-Azhari, who has a
criminal history that includes prior terrorism charges in Saudi Arabia,
attempted to purchase multiple firearms over the course of the
investigation, before acquiring a Glock pistol and a silencer. He also
expressed admiration for Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen and spoke
of his desire to carry out a similar mass casualty shooting.
Additionally, Al-Azhari researched and scouted potential targets in the
Tampa area, including Honeymoon Island. He also rehearsed portions of an
attack and the statements that he would make during or in connection
with such an attack.

FBI agents arrested Al-Azhari on May 24, 2020, after he took possession of weapons to be used in an attack.

A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed
one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant
is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force,
including Homeland Security Investigations, the Tampa Police Department,
the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s
Office, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police
Department, the Clearwater Police Department, and the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States
Attorney Patrick Scruggs, with assistance from Trial Attorney Ranganath
Mathripragada of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism
Section.

WASHINGTON – Based on a recommendation by DHS and its
intergovernmental partners, such as the Centers for Disease Control, President
Trump signed a proclamation on May 24 and amended on May 25 suspending the
entry into the U.S. of any foreign nationals who were present in Brazil during
the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United
States. This travel restriction applies to flights departing after 11:59 pm
Eastern Daylight Time on May 26.

“As we reopen the U.S. economy, the Trump administration is
continuing to take aggressive measures to protect the American people from
COVID-19,” said Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf. “By adding
Brazil to the list of travel-restricted nations based on a careful and thorough
analysis of data, we are proactively mitigating another risk factor to our
communities. While this may be disruptive to some travelers, action is needed
to protect the public from further spread of the virus.”

Brazil will be added to a list of travel-restricted
countries currently including Iran, China, and most European countries, which
have all been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

American citizens, legal permanent residents, and their
immediate families who are returning home after recently visiting Brazil or
other travel-restricted countries may still reenter by going through a process
for enhanced medical screenings at specially designated airports. To
accommodate the inclusion of Brazil, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport are being added to the existing
list of airports currently receiving flights from travel-restricted nations,
bringing the total to the below 15 airports:

•Boston-Logan
International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts

•Chicago
O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois

•Dallas/Fort
Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas

•Detroit
Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan

•Daniel K.
Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii

•Fort
Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Florida

•George
Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Texas

•Hartsfield-Jackson
Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia

•John F.
Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York

•Los
Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California

•Miami
International Airport (MIA), Florida

•Newark
Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey

•San
Francisco International Airport (SFO), California

•Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport (SEA), Washington

•Washington-Dulles
International Airport (IAD), Virginia

Upon arrival, travelers will proceed to standard customs
processing. They will then continue to enhanced entry screening where passengers
will have random temperature checks and be asked about their medical history,
current condition, and contact information for their local health authorities.
Passengers will then be given written guidance about COVID-19 and directed to
proceed to their final destination, and where they should immediately
home-quarantine in accordance with CDC best practices.

“Firefighting organizations represent our hometown heroes,
risking their lives to keep our communities safe,” said Acting Secretary Wolf.
“While bravely answering the call during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these
departments are seeing increased personnel costs. Through our decisive actions
on SAFER Grants, DHS is continuing its commitment to support our local partners
during this difficult time and making sure they have the resources they need to
carry out their critical missions.”

FY2019 SAFER Grants will no longer be subject to certain
cost share, salary cap, supplanting, and minimum budget restrictions. Further,
Acting Secretary Wolf announced that economically impacted fire departments can
apply for and receive SAFER funding for FY2019 through May 27th. These changes
will be extended into FY2020.

The SAFER Grant program is a critical partnership between
DHS, FEMA, and local fire organizations that is crucial in helping fire
departments in recruitment and retention. Firefighters and EMTs have been
indispensable in the fight against COVID-19 and have been part of the backbone
of local responses to the pandemic.

“The Fort Worth Fire Department plays a critical role in the
health and safety of our community and has been on the frontlines of our fight
against COVID-19”, said Mayor Betsy Price “The SAFER Grant has ensured our
first responders have the resources necessary to best protect and serve all of
Fort Worth.”

“Firefighters are asked to problem solve every emergent
issue of national importance. With the economic impact of Covid-19, it is imperative
to maintain fire department staffing to continue to solve the next need in our
communities, said Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis. “I personally appreciate the
commitment of Acting Secretary Wolf to the Fort Worth Fire Department with this
announcement.”

“It was an honor to be able to meet with the firefighters in
my community and thank them for the job they do, said Congresswoman Kay
Granger. “It was important for me to be there to understand exactly what they
need in order to be able to do the best job possible to keep us safe”